- What is the correct name of the group – is the last word, council, committee or group?
The Canine and Feline Sector Group - Who are its members and which organisations do they represent?
- AHWBE – Claire Horton
- Assistance Dogs UK – Peter Gorbing
- Battersea Dog & Cats Home – Mike Webb
- Blue Cross – Steve Goody
- BSAVA – Adrienne Conroy
- Cats Protection – Maggie Roberts
- Dogs Trust – Paula Boyden
- The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy – Steve Crow
- Guide Dogs for the Blind – Tim Stafford
- International Cat Care – Claire Bessant
- Kennel Club – Bill Lambert
- PDSA – Richard Hooker
- Pet Federation – Nigel Baker
- RSPCA – David Bowles
- Woodgreen – Linda Cantle
- What are the aims of the group?
The mission of the Canine & Feline Sector Group is to represent the cat and dog sector comprising of the animal welfare organisations and relevant enforcement, veterinary and industry representatives with the aim of improving the health and welfare of cats and dogs.The group was established in March 2013 and seeks to maximise its effectiveness by identifying and managing issues of shared responsibility, coordination of resources, expertise and effort, using a risk based approach. - What is the group’s remit?
- To be a functioning sector council that advises the Animal Health and Welfare Board England (AHWBE) and Defra Ministers in a coherent and effective way.
- To work together with AHWBE, Defra and other bodies to develop workable policies that properly address the key issues facing the sector.
- To be a reliable provider of expert and informed opinion quickly, for use in Government, media and other environments.
- To contribute directly to the formulation of strategies, solutions and plans for practical delivery of both regulation and informal initiatives (eg: charities and the veterinary profession coming together to work operationally on issues of joint interest that may be of pressing importance such as supporting the microchipping of all dogs).
- To be able to plan for, and respond to, sector emergencies (e.g. rabies outbreak or other zoonotic disease outbreak).
- To use our combined or individual resources and channels to communicate initiatives and key messages to the public at large and/or other audiences.
- To act as a sounding board and to advise AHWBE / Defra on sector issues and facilitate and enable open debate on issues of concern (e.g. Dangerous Dogs Legislation, changes to pet travel regulations)
- How often does the group meet?
The Group will meet as required but at least twice annually, usually in London. - Will the Minutes of meetings be publicly available?
A synopsis of the main meetings will be available on this platform but full minutes will not be provided. - What programme has been set out? What are its priorities?
The group has set a 3-year Strategy and also does a yearly Strategy setting out its priorities. That Strategy is shared with wider stakeholders at the annual “Big Tent” meeting. - How will it work with other groups within the companion animal sector?
The Group will invite other, either permanent or occasional attendance of other representative groups of relevance and importance to meetings as necessary (e.g. police / LA’s / Trading Standards / the pet trade / corporate stakeholders / Defra). - Will it be making its own recommendations to AHWBE/DEFRA?
CFSG intends to communicate the views of the sector to AHWBE and Defra either on a case by case basis or at the request of the AHWBE or Defra.